Rumor: Microsoft to acquire Playground Games

https://wccftech.com/microsoft-could-acquire-playground-games/

A Microsoft acquisition of Forza Horizon developer (and rumored developer of an open world RPG that is rumored to be the next Fable game) Playground Games might be imminent.

UK developer Playground Games could be about to be acquired by Microsoft(NASDAQ:MSFT 102.49 0%). A PDF document postedon the UK Government’s Companies House website reveals that on May 29th, Keith Ranger Dolliger was appointed as a new director within Playground Games.

Even the service address listed points to Microsoft, and that’s no coincidence. A quick Google search shows that Mr. Dollinger has been a Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Business and Corporate Development at Microsoft Corporation for quite a long time. Furthermore, and here’s the bulk of the rumor, he has been appointed as Director on a long list of companies such as LinkedIn, Rare, Skype, Lionhead, Groove Networks, Havok, Xamarin and more. What do all these companies have in common? That’s easy – at some point, they were acquired by Microsoft.

This move would make perfect sense, given the close relationship Playground Games has had with the software giant ever since the studio was founded. In fact, all of the games released so far have been Xbox and Windows 10 PC exclusives.

The announcement could be coming during the Xbox E3 2018 Briefing, where Playground Games is expected to officially unveil Forza Horizon 4, the fourth entry in their highly successful open world racing game. Early rumors suggested a Japanese setting, though the latest one actually points to the United Kingdom as a possible setting for the game.

That’s not the only game Playground Games is working on, anyway. A second studio was opened to work on an open world action RPG, with developers who’ve worked on titles like GTAV, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain hired for the occasion.

More recently, a strong rumor suggested that it could be a new entry in the Microsoft-owned Fable IP. Again, this makes a lot of sense given that Lionhead has now disbanded and a UK studio like Playground Games could be the perfect choice to carry the torch and develop new games in this highly British-styled fantasy universe.

We’ll know soon if this rumor indeed developers into an official confirmation, but chances seem solid at this point.

It's good to see they are back at growing first party. I will honestly say that is a good step.

I thought they owned them.

Just let them do their thing and support them and don't mess em up MS

Let's see where this goes.

Seems a bit to late to do this. This game isn't all the buzz it once was, not with Fortnite and everyone else doing BR. And given all the shit they have got for games coming out half baked acquiring a studio with such shoddy optimization of their game is the last thing they need.

@lamprey263: I think you need to read the OP again... lol.

Anyway I hope it's true. Playground is a talented dev.

Not the PUBG developer @lamprey263: Those are the guys behind the successful Forza Horizon series.

I am not sure if this would change anything noteworthy. They already make Xbox only games.

@Pedro: Amongst other things, it would allow Microsoft to better support them financially......however, I hope this does not mean they will try to control them more, and should just let them continue do their own thing, if they acquire them.

Aren't they already supporting them financially? I really don't see the benefit of ownership at the moment. Its not a bad thing nor a good, just meh!

@Pedro: yeah they are as a publisher, they handle marketing and manufacturing costs, which is usually the role of the publisher...they can assist with dev costs as well..but if they own them, they can fund projects directly, increase budget.

I know what you're saying though, things are already awesome with Forza Horizon as is, so what could improve....I'm no expert, and there is definitely an unknown in all this, what are their future plans, etc.....but overall, if they play their cards right, they could help the team grow and handle bigger games, produce more of them perhaps, things like that, secure the Forza Horizon franchise permanently. Too early too tell now what will happen

We shall see for it is too early to tell what will happen. I am a big fan of strong relationships without ownership.

@Alucard_Prime, @Pedro: Its also about lets get this hot studio before they go chase money everywhere. Before they get a lucrative contract from EA or heck Sony. A win win situation for MS adding another great studio rather than playing the contract renewal game.

Fair enough. Seems like MS has been on a shopping spree as of late.

This

Playground Games is the most talented studio currently working with MS, not to be confused with Turn 10 who is not on their level.

This needs to happen for MS ASAP because Playgound Games is the only studio that has the potential to produce games on par with the quality of Sony's top tier studios...if M$ don't fu*k it up with their idiotic protocols of mandating GAAS into every aspect of a game.

MS execs needs to learn to be "hands off" when their big devs begin trying to create new projects for xbox because OBVIOUSLY the big wigs at MS don't know what the hell they're doing when it comes to giving gamers what they want.

Nice although I thought they owned them already.

The idea that MS would some how potential "mess things up" with purchasing Playground Games is ignoring the perpetual success MS has had with the studio for the past 8 years.

Idk why they haven't already, though I guess they really only make Xbox games anyways

Solid racing dev. Not sure of their pedigree with other genres though.

Not a bad buy if true E3 will hopefully show us fable 4 to see how it's shaping up. My worry is fable is in development for next gen.

Bye bye Playground Games, nice knowing ya. I think we also need a MS Studio graveyard pic like EA's.

Forza Horizon series represents some of if not the best of Xbox these days and if this is true, MS must be highly impressed what they're seeing of their new IP or new Fable so far. Makes me all the more excited to see what goes on at E3. :D

I'd forgotten they weren't already part if MS.

Still, it's a natural fit because of that. One would argue it does very little for strenthening their brand, given that they company basically only/already makes some of their flagship games

Really good series. Now I might have to play a little this weekend

I didn't realize they weren't a first party developer. I'm happy MS is growing their first party, it is a good sign.

super derp, yes, good call... actually, I didn't even know they weren't already a part of MS, for heaven's sake, yes acquire them already

They should have made this acquisition a long time ago. But it does seem strange to buy the company when MS was the only client anyway. Just seems like an unneeded expense, but, cool.

I prefer not, they have a history of destroying every talented developer they own. And Forza games are the only ones that have been really outstanding in Xbox since a few years back.

This should have been done a while ago. There seems to be a leadership problem at ms.

So that another Bioware or Bizarre Creations situation doesn't happen

What does Forza Horizon have to do with Fortnite and Battle Royale? I'm confused.

@Shewgenja: Agreed. After X1X launched they said now they will invest in their own first party. Opening a large studio in Santa Monica and now possibly acquiring Playground should show that they were telling the truth to some degree. Guess we'll have to see what becomes of this.

Hoping they aren't another Lionhead studio.

This is good news for the Playground Games!

I mean under Sony they would've been forced to make good games! But now, under MS, they can focuse on what they do best, ie making rubbish games!

Hahahah!!

Yeah their last game only got a 91 MC score.

As much as I love Bioware, I'm truly amaze MS didn't even try to buyout Bioware when those guys wwere still making RPG Xbox games for them.

As for MS buying Playground Games, This is totally good news to hear. It's showing MS taking 1st party developers seriously, so it's all good.

You must be confused, its Playground games NOT Polyphony Digital lol

Indeed and if FH3 was a Phony / Nintendont game it would be sitting at about 98... True story. :P

If they really make a new ‘Fable’ game, will they do what Lionhead Studios couldn’t do and finish the game?

Seriously, I like ‘Fable’ but the bugs in those games... damn.

What a waste to have them working on a failed franchise like Fable.

What bugs, I have played the crap out of those games and don't remember any bugs!

That was my take as well. Dunno what in the world he's talking about.

I hope its playgrounds game from the ground up.

Something is brewing, on twitter they've(Playground Games)been putting out adds all year and putting out messages to studios that closed about open positions. Just the other day they tweeted about the process of hiring a new 200 member team for a secret project( assuming its Fable).

I

Usually when MS acquires a developer, the developer then becomes garbage.

Bungie didn't.